Shelf Staples: The Beer We Take for Granted

If you’ve hung around enough beer geeks you’ve probably heard the phrase “shelf turd,” an expression that refers to the bottles and cans that perpetually sit around on the shelves of nearly every beer store. This phrase has given some people the idea that beers that sit on shelves and are readily available are not beers worth drinking. If you employ this mentality, you are missing out on some of the best beers in the world; beers that are just as good if not better than some so-called “whales,” which refers to a beer that is highly sought after and rare.

I’d like to coin a new phrase, a phrase that refers to beers that are easy to find and always enjoyable, world-class beers that you don’t have to wait in line for. These beers are “Shelf Staples.” Ask any employee at your local bottle shop and they’ll tell you that some of the best beers are often ignored in lieu of the newest and hottest beer.

This month I chose Firestone Walker’s Union Jack IPA as our Shelf Staple feature. Yes, Firestone Walker is well respected in the beer community, but their year-round beers (Lion and Bear series) are often overlooked. Union Jack was first released in 2008 and that same year it won Gold at GABF and Silver at the World Beer Cup. Since its release it’s won 14 major medals!

Union Jack has a bright, citrusy hop presence with some slight spice thanks to copious amounts of Cascade and Centennial hops added late in the boil. It’s also double dry hopped with the same hops (with a little Amarillo and Simcoe added). The malt bill is simple but effective. It’s just enough to balance the bitterness and add some slight honeyed bread-like notes. If you aren’t an IPA drinker, I’m not going to try to convince you this beer will change your mind on the style. But it will please the entry-level craft drinker and the biggest hop-head as well. Drink it fresh (like any IPA) and you will not be disappointed.